The turmoil in the outside world has no impact on Hogwarts for now. After a period of commotion, Hogwarts has returned to its usual calm.
But everyone knows that the situation outside is no longer the same.
Voldemort has returned!
Even if the Death Eaters have not yet caused widespread chaos, war is imminent.
It will be a war that engulfs the entire wizarding world!
Er… well, just the British wizarding world.
If you look at a world map, it's just a tiny little spot in the top left-hand corner—about the size of a thumbnail.
But that being said, for the people living in this country, this war is a devastating catastrophe.
All day long, countless owls fly into and out of Hogwarts.
That's young wizards corresponding with their families.
With war imminent, the Collins family were not the only ones looking for a safe way out of the country.
The people had lost their faith in the Ministry of Magic.
Over the past few years, the so-called 'safest places in the wizarding world' – Gringotts, the Ministry of Magic, Azkaban, and Hogwarts – had all had their share of trouble.
Hogwarts is actually fine, and most of the chaos has been resolved.
But the dark wizards who invaded Gringotts, the Ministry of Magic, and Azkaban are still on the loose. Not to mention catching the criminals; the Aurors still don't even know who they are.
Not only that, the rescue of Peter Pettigrew was even reported in the Daily Prophet.
That battle fully demonstrated the powerlessness of the Aurors and the even greater powerlessness of the Ministry officials.
Even with the appointment of Minister Bones and the successive reforms carried out in the Ministry's policies over recent days, the public's trust in the Ministry has not been restored.
***
In the corridors, young wizards gathered to talk about Voldemort's resurrection.
Through them, Andy also got a general idea of what the outside world thinks about this matter.
It's similar to what Kyle and Helen think.
The Ministry of Magic has already rotten.
Dumbledore is also getting old.
Even if Dumbledore, Bones, Scrimgeour, and the others are determined to fight Voldemort, their action gives the impression as if they are not doing much.
Under such circumstances, running away seems to be the only way out for most.
Unlike the other three houses, the Slytherin students are strutting around the corridors. They are all walking with their chins up, looking down on everyone else as if Voldemort has already won the war.
"Everyone's in a pessimistic mood..." On the way to class, Hermione couldn't help feeling a little sad as she listened to the young wizards' conversations.
She was from the Muggle world, and although she had heard many legends about Voldemort since entering the wizarding world, she didn't have much of a direct instinctive feeling about him.
She didn't quite understand why everyone was so afraid of Voldemort.
The people she knew—take Andy, for example; he was even ready to fight Voldemort head-on.
"I'm the only one who can save the wizarding world..."
Andy acted confident in front of his girlfriend: "After I face Voldemort, I'll be able to restore everyone's confidence. Once they have confidence, more people will stand up against Voldemort's rule."
"By the way, I'm going out tonight."
"I'll use the Fidelius Charm to set up a safe house to protect my family... Hermione, I hope you can be the secret keeper for the spell."
"Me?" Hermione was taken aback.
"Yes!" Andy said with confidence.
"I can't..."
Hermione hurriedly said, "I'm not very strong; if the Dark Lord finds out, maybe..."
Before Hermione could finish, Andy interrupted, "I have to live with my family, so I'm not suitable to be the secret keeper... Hermione, you're the only one I can trust."
Hermione was moved by his words. "Okay! As long as you trust me, I will definitely not leak the secret."
"Thank you!" Andy said.
If Hermione was willing to be the secret keeper, then Andy could prepare two safe houses.
The secret keeper of one safe house will be Hermione.
The secret keeper of the other safe house will be Andy.
In this way, even if one of the safe houses is exposed, Helen and the others can also use the Portkey to take refuge in the second safe house.
With this, their safety will be greatly improved!
***
Time passed quickly, and it was evening.
After dinner, Andy and Hermione made their way to the Forbidden Forest and then used the Apparition spell to go to St. Catchpole Village, Andy's home.
"That's my house over there."
Andy said, pointing to a house and introducing the village, "Many wizard families are living here, including Ron, Luna, and Cedric."
"But... although we are technically neighbours, we are quite far apart. If you want to visit someone's house, it's best to use a flying broomstick."
"Well... an Apparition would also work."
Hermione followed the direction of Andy's finger.
Unlike Godric's Hollow and Hogsmeade, the houses in St. Catchpole were all quite isolated.
Looking around, in this vast area, she could only see one house, the one belonging to Andy's family.
The house looked exquisite, a testament to the hard work and care Kyle and Helen had put into building it.
However, most wizards usually didn't care about these things.
"Do wizards and muggles live together here?" Hermione asked.
"The muggle village is far away."
Andy explained, "We are actually on the outskirts of the village."
"Let's go in."
Andy urged, leading Hermione to the door.
Thump, thump, thump –
"It's unlocked!" Helen's voice was heard from inside.
Andy pushed open the door and grumbled, "Couldn't any of you just open the door for me?"
Kyle, who was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, said, "I knew you would drop by, so I left the door open-"
"Erm…you've brought a friend?"
Andy shrugged, "Hermione...you've met her."
"Hermione's here?"
Helen strode out of the kitchen and greeted Hermione warmly, "Welcome, dear."
"Hello, Mrs Collins," Hermione said with a smile.
Kyle raised an eyebrow at Andy.
His meaning was clear: Our family is about to discuss running away, and you've brought your girlfriend here; isn't that a bit inappropriate?
Although running away is for the safety of the family, it's not a good thing to talk about.
"I've discussed it with Hermione..."
Andy hurriedly explained his intentions: "I want to use the Fidelius Charm to prepare two safe houses. For this house, I will make Hermione our secret keeper. For the other house, I will be the secret keeper."
"And we can also prepare a portkey to the other safe house... This way, at least when we are at home, we don't have to worry about safety issues."
Hearing Andy's words, Kyle and Helen glanced at each other.
Is Andy not going to leave?
----
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